Indian farmers discrimination lawsuit against USDA agency still unsettled after a decade

Indian farmers claims unsettled after a decade

BISMARCK, N.D. — Tribal leaders and attorneys for American Indian farmers and ranchers plan to meet in North Dakota this week to discuss their class-action lawsuit against the U.S. Agriculture Department.

The lawsuit claims that the USDA’s Farm Service Agency denied or delayed loans for Indians. The attorneys and tribal leaders plan to meet Thursday in Bismark

Former Three Affiliated Tribes Chairman Tex Hall said many Indian farmers and ranchers have died or lost their operations since the lawsuit was filed in 2001. He said Indians hope that President Barack Obama’s administration will resolve the issue.

The USDA said Secretary Tom Vilsack is committed to addressing allegations of discrimination.